An evil grin swept across Karen’s face. “Would you like to try a skirt, Michael?” She asked her mortified son. “It might be nicer in the summer.” She added persuasively.
He shook his head, not sure if she was teasing or being serious. He looked down at his new school shorts and his pale legs emerging from them. He felt silly in the effeminate shorts but at least they weren’t a proper skirt. He glanced up at his mother who smiled sweetly at him.
“Only teasing.” She grinned, finally thawing the frozen look of dread on his face.
“Can I put my pants back on please?” He asked, and before long Michael was finally back in his own clothes. The assistant was totting up the bill. She smiled at Michael as he reappeared with his own clothes on. He looked and felt a hundred times more at ease now he was finally back in his own clothes.
”OH I almost forgot!” His mother exclaimed, “Shoes!” She realized as she loitered by the counter. “You do stock them I hope!” Karen asked, not recalling seeing a shoe display.
“Yes of course.” The assistant replied. “Sorry I should have thought.” She added, almost apologetically. “He’ll need PE pumps too?” She asked.
“Oh yes of course,” Karen replied. “He’s a size four.”